Clothes conditioning apparatus



Dec. 29, 1964 J. w. JACOBS 3,163,029

CLOTHES CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed D80. 13, 1962 Contact Clean Cool ff Q Closed 4 D Open lg.

INVENTOR. James W Jacobs W WM His A ffom ey United States Patent 3,163,029 CLOTHES CQNDITKQNING APPARATUS James W. .l'acohs, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 244,383 3 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to a clothes conditioning appliance which can be used either for drying fabrics or for dry cleaning fabrics.

Both the domestic clothes dryer and the self-service dry cleaning machine are becoming more popular. Accordingly, it is an obiect of this invention to provide a domestie appliance which combines the functions of clothes drying and clothes dry cleaning.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a clothes tumbler into which may be injected periodically encapsulated solventthe tumbling action of the fabric in the presence of heated air serving to rupture the solvent capsules preparatory to the solvent action on the soiled fabric.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a clothes conditioning appliance having means selectively operable as a closed air duct system during the time which soiled fabric is being exposed to a dry cleaning solvent or as an open, single pass air duct system during the time the appliance is being used as a dryer for drying clothes and during the time the appliance is being used as a dry cleaner for removing the soil entrained solvent vapor to the outside atmosphere.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a generally schematic front sectional view of the combination clothes dryer and dry cleaner of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view of encapsulated dry cleaning solvent;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of a control system suitable for operating this invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a timer cycle chart evidencing the operation of the timer switches in FIGURE 3.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURE 1, a combination clothes dryer and dry cleaner is shown comprised of a box-like outer casing 12 of the conventional type having a hin ed front access door (not shown) leading to a rotatable cylindrical tumbling drum 14. The tumbling drum is rotatable in a generally closed cylindrical container 16 which is ported only adjacent the access door for placing clothes into the tumbling drum. Agitation of the clothes in the drum is effected through a plurality of raised bafiles 18 which alternately lift and drop the clothes as the drum is rotated.

The air duct system incorporating the tumbling drum 14- is comprised of a rear duct 28 attached to the rear side of the tumbling drum container 16 and in communication with the interior of the drum through perforations 22 in the rear wall thereof. After leaving the tumbling drum 14 through the front access opening or, alternatively, tlnough perforations in the peripheral wall of the drum, air is channeled in the void between the tumbling drum and its outer container to a front duct or exhaust duct 24. The air may be heated in the rear duct by a heater 41 which is temperature responsively controlled by a thermostat 43.

A blower 26 has its outlet connected to the rear duct 20 3,163,029 Patented Dec. 29, 1964 and its inlet 28 connected to an inlet duct 30. Note that the air inlet 34 of the blower inlet duct 30 and the air outlet of exhaust duct 24 are selectively connectable to each other or to the outside atmosphere by a diverter valve 32.

To effect the selective circulation of air within the duct system, a damper 40 in the valve 32 is actuated by a solenoid 42. When the appliance is to be used as a vented dryer with air circulating in a single pass through the tumbling drum 14-, the solenoid 42 is deenergized to actuate the damper 40 into the solid line position (FIG- URE 1)the air being heated by the heater 41 and thermostatically controlled by the temperature sensitive device 43. When the appliance is to be used as a dry cleaner, the solenoid 42 is energized to place the damper 40 into the dashed line position (FIGURE 1)the exhaust duct 24 being thereby connected to the blower inlet duct 30 so that air is recirculated between the blower 26 and the tumbling drum 14.

The prime moving system for the appliance includes a motor 44 connected by a conventional belt and pulley arrangement 46 to rotate the tumbling drum and another belt and pulley system 48 to operate the blower 26. Thus, the tumbling drum and the blower may be operated by the same motor 44. 7

One of the basic concepts of this invention provides for using the appliance It? as a dry cleaner. To this end a solenoid actuated valve 50 controls the supply of encapsulated solvent 52 from a bin or reservoir 54 through a conduit 56 leading to the interior of the tumbling drum 14 through an axial opening 58 in the drum shaft.

The foregoing components are controlled by a timer all in accordance with a control circuit shown schematically in FIGURES 3 and 4. The timer 6!} includes a timer motor 62 which pulsatingly advances a timer shaft 64 for operating a plurality of timer switches 66, 68, 70, '72, 74 and a main line On-Olf switch 76. The timer switch 66 opens and closes a timer contact 78 to energize the timer motor 62. The timer switch 68 opens and closes a timer contact 84) to energize the prime mover or motor 44. Timer switch 79 opens and closes a timer contact 82 to selectively energize the solenoid actuated solvent dispenser valve St). The timer switch 72 opens and closes a timer contact 84 in series with the heater 41. The desired temperature within the tumbling drum is controlled by the thermostat 43 which interrupts selectively the circuit to the heater 41. Lastly, the timer switch 74 opens and closes a timer contact 86 leading to the diverter valve solenoid 42.

The foregoing components are used primarily when the appliance is to be operated as a dry cleaner, the operation of which will be described next following. However, it should be understood that the appliance can be used solely as a clothes drying apparatus for damp fabrics after washing merely by programming the timer 60 for a timed operation with the timer switch 6% closed to energize the motor 44, timer switch 72 closed to energize the heater circuit and the timer switch 66 closed to maintain the timer motor 62 energized for a presettable drying time. The other timer switches which correspond strictly to dry cleaner operation remain in the open position.

In the operation of the appliance 10 as a dry cleaner, the operator will first place a load of clothes or fabric to be dry cleaned within the tumbling drum 14. Then, she will manipulate the timer knob 60 to close the main line switch 76 and the timer switch 66 to initiate a timed dry cleaning cycle. With reference to FIGURE 4, the timer contact 78 is shown closed throughout the cycle for energizing the timer motor. The tumbling drum is rotated and air circulation is continued when timer contact 80 is closed throughout the dry cleaning cycle. Timer switch '70 is periodically opened-and closed to energize the timer 1 two liquids not normally miscible in each other.

Contact 32 and intennittentiy supply quantities of encapsulaited solvent to the tumbling drum. Since the heater 41 is temperature responsively energized when the timer contact 84 is closed, the air circulated through the turnbling' drumisl The elevated temperature of the air in conjunction with the abrading action of the tumbling clothes ruptures the encapsulation surrounding the solvent to release the solvent on the fabric. Throughout the period that the solvent is being released, the solenoid 42 remains energized to place the damper in the dashed line position so that the vapor is recirculated between the blower and the tumbling drum. During this period, the volatile soil is vaporized from the fabric along with other soil which is entrained into the circulating vapor due to the agitation of the fabric. At a point 9%) in the dry cleaning cycle, the timer heater contact $4 and the divertcr valve contact 86 are opened. This initiates a cool off period and opens the exhaust duct 24 to the atmosphere through the diverter valve 32 when the solenoid 42 is deehergi'zcd to place the damper 40 into the solid line position (FIGURE 1).

From a. cycle point 99 to the end 93 of the dry cleaning cycle, ;i.e., the Cool-Oil period, the clothes are aerated and reduced in temperature while the entrained and vaporized soil is removed to the outside atmosphere. Of course, suitable precautions should be observed in protecting against the exhaust fumes due to the solvents. It is also within the purview of this invention to incorporate a two-speed blower so that high air flow can be efiected during the Cool Oil or aerating period and normal air flow effected during dry cleaning.

It should now be seen that an improved combination appliance has been provided which is effective, both to dry and dry clean clothes without major structural alterations to a conventional clothes dryer.

Another facet of this invention is directed to an. improved method of dry cleaning using an encapsulated solvent. The encapsulation of a solvent usable for dry cleaning can be accomplished by the coacervation technique. The shell can be ruptured in a suitable dry cleaner in which garments are placed or in an applicator for dry cleaning by either temperature, pressure or a combination of both. This provides a minimum of solvent necessary to accomplish the dry cleaning process. The cleaning, process is achieved by rubbing the garment with the capsules to release the solvent in controllable amounts.

This will simplify the packaging and handling of the solvent.

As set forth above, the solvent usable with this invention is formed by the coacervation technique. Coacervation, for the purposes of this invention, contemplates mixing The liquids are beaten together at an elevated temperature in a manner so that both materials will remain in the liquid phase. The temperature of the mixture is then lowered so that one liquid tends to congeal or precipitate as a wax-like material while the other liquid acts as the nucleus with the War-like material enclosing it. Encapsulated solvent formed in this manner may then be used in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A clothes dry cleaner and conditioner comprising, a drum rotatable for tumbling said clothes, means operable to rotate said drum, means providing a closed circuit air duct system incorporating said drum, means operable for circulating air through said air duct system, heating means operable for increasing the temperature of said circulating air, means for operating said heating means, said circulating means and said drum rotating means in a clothes dry cleaning and conditioning cycle, means for selectively supplying a quantity of solvent capsules to said drum for use in said dry cleaning cycle whereby the tumbling of said clothes and the increased temperature of said air cause the solvent capsules to rupture and the solvent to be dispersed through said clothes for cleaning the clothes by dissolving and vaporizing certain types of soil from said clothes while other types of soil are entrained in said circulating air, and means for discharging the resultant vapor and entrained soil periodically from said air duct system.

2. A clothes dry cleaner and conditioner comprising, a drum rotatable for tumbling said clothes, means operable to rotate said drum, means providing an air duct system incorporating said drum, means operable for circulating air through said air duct system, heating means operable for increasing the temperature of said circulating air, means for operating said heating means, said circulating means and said drum rotating means in a clothes dry cleaning and conditioning cycle, means for selectively supplying a quantity of solvent capsules to said drum for use in said drycleaning cycle whereby the tumbling of said clothes and the increased temperature of said air cause the solvent capsules to rupture and the solvent to be dispersed through said clothes for cleaning the clothes by dissolving and vaporizing certain types of soil from said clothes While other types of soil are entrained in said circulating air, and means for discharging the resultant vapor and entrained soil from said air duct system.

3. A clothes dry cleaner and conditioner comprising, means actuable for tumbling said clothes, means operable to actuate said tumbling means, means providing an air duct system incorporating said tumbling means, means operable for circulating air through said air duct system, heating means operable for increasing the temperature of said circulating air, means for operating said heating means, said circulating means and said actuating means in a clothes dry cleaning and conditioning cycle, means for selectively supplying a quantity of solvent capsules to said tumbling means for use in said dry cleaning cycle whereby the tumbling of said clothes and the increased temperature of said air cause the solvent capsules to rupture and the solvent to be dispersed through said clothes for cleaning the clothes by dissolving and vaporizing certain types or" soil from said clothes While other type of soil are entrained in said circulating air, and means for discharging the resultant vapor and entrained soil from said air duct system.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,114,776 Davis h Apr. 19, 1938 2,316,669 Busi Apr. 13, 1943 2,639,599 Wellford May 26, 1953 2,695,704 McGredy Nov. 30 1954 2,736,632 Blau Feb. 28, 1956 2,922,694 Avera Jan. 26, 1960 3,002,287 Smith Oct. 3, 1961 3,027,739 McCallum Apr. 3, 1962 3,062,030 Groves Nov. 6, 1962 3,085,415 Gosnell Apr. 16, 1963 

2. A CLOTHES DRY CLEANER AND CONDITIONER COMPRISING, A DRUM ROTATABLE FOR TUMBLING SAID CLOTHES, MEANS OPERABLE TO ROTATE SAID DRUM, MEANS PROVIDING AN AIR DUCT SYSTEM INCORPORATING SAID DRUM, MEANS OPERABLE FOR CIRCULATING AIR THROUGH SAID AIR DUCT SYSTEM, HEATING MEANS OPERABLE FOR INCREASING THE TEMPERATURE OF SAID CIRCULATING AIR, MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID HEATING MEANS, SAID CIRCULATING MEANS AND SAID DRUM ROTATING MEANS IN A CLOTHES DRY CLEANING AND CONDITIONING CYCLE, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY SUPPLYING A QUANTITY OF SOLVENT CAPSULES TO SAID DRUM FOR USE IN SAID DRY CLEANING CYCLE WHEREBY THE TUMBLING SAID CLOTHES AND THE INCREASED TEMPERATURE OF SAID AIR CAUSE THE SOLVENT CAPSULES TO RUPTURE AND THE SOLVENT TO BE DISPERSED THROUGH SAID CLOTHES FOR CLEANING THE CLOTHES BY DISSOLVING AND VAPORIZING CERTAIN TYPES OF SOIL FROM SAID CLOTHES WHILE OTHER TYPES OF SOIL ARE ENTRAINED IN SAID CIRCULATING AIR, AND MEANS FOR DISCHARGING THE RESULTANT VAPOR AND ENTRAINED SOIL FROM SAID AIR DUCT SYSTEM. 